The Next Generation of

Night Vision Goggles

A Lightweight Binocular Designed for SOF Missions

Harris Corporation
 Customer Experience is Shaping Night Vision Technology ....................................... 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS Harnessing the Darkness ............................................................................................... 4
Reducing Equipment Load............................................................................................. 4
Integrated IR Illuminator ................................................................................................. 4
Close-Focus Range ........................................................................................................ 5
Vertical Viewing Capability ............................................................................................ 5
Glass Optics .................................................................................................................... 5
Increasing Safety and Comfort ...................................................................................... 5
Light Emission Security with Auto Goggle Shutoff ..................................................... 5
Zero Acoustic Emissions ............................................................................................... 5
Individual Flip-Out Stow ................................................................................................. 5
Speeding Mission Readiness ......................................................................................... 5
Fixed or Adjustable Diopter Lens Configurations ....................................................... 6
Swappable Image Intensifier Modules .......................................................................... 6
Unified Master Switch ..................................................................................................... 6
Summary.......................................................................................................................... 6

Non-Export Controlled 2 The Next Generation of Night Vision Goggles—

A New Approach to Lightweight Binocular Design
 1 The Harris F5032 Lightweight Night Vision Binocular. ............................................. 4
LIST OF FIGURES 2 The F5032’s close-focus capability of 25 cm (~9 inches) enhances the ability
to read or repair weapons..................................................................................... 4
3 In addition to providing individual monocular functionality, the flip-out stow
provides a significant improvement in stowed head-borne inertial loads
and snag reduction. .............................................................................................. 5
4 The images above show both the independent rotation and monocular
standby state. ....................................................................................................... 6
5 The Unified Master Switch is located on the front of the binocular, and controls
on/off, manual brightness, IR on/off and momentary, and will turn off
(for training) the high-light cut-off and standby-off functions. ................................ 6
6 Harris F5032 illustrated components........................................................................ 7

Non-Export Controlled 3 The Next Generation of Night Vision Goggles—

A New Approach to Lightweight Binocular Design
 The Next Generation of Customer Experience is Shaping Night Vision Technology

Night Vision Goggles— In the more than 60 years since Harris Corporation developed its first image
intensifier tube, night vision technology has become an indispensable
A New Approach to
warfighting tool.
Lightweight Binocular
Each succeeding generation of devices has added new capabilities, and most
Design versions of today’s military night vision goggles (NVGs) offer similar features and
user benefits across common tactical applications.

Special Operations Forces, however, face unique challenges in today’s dynamic

battlespace and have requirements that have not been fully addressed in currently
fielded systems.

These limitations include lack of an integrated illuminator or an adjustable diopter

lens, diminished focal range for very close-in activities, the weight of the device,
cost challenges and maintenance issues.

Figure 1. The Harris F5032 Lightweight
Night Vision Binocular.
This paper discusses new night vision technology from Harris, how it addresses
current limitations, and the specific benefits it offers for SOF missions over
existing products.
Harnessing the Darkness
The Harris F5032 Lightweight Night Vision Binocular is a military-grade, image intensified,
dual-tube binocular that can be operated helmet-mounted, head-mounted, or in a hand-
held configuration. Part of the 500-gram weight class of LWBs, the F5032 is designed for
agility in must-succeed moments.
The F5032 is equipped with high-performing Stealth dB Generation 3 image intensifiers
(discussed later in this paper). Traditional night vision binocular features are included, but
unlike currently fielded devices, the F5032 is optimized for tactical operations requiring the
highest levels of stealth, agility, flexibility, and self-sustainment. The F5032 is specifically
designed to meet the unique requirements of SOF missions – a lighter load, better optical
performance, enhanced safety and faster mission readiness.

Reducing Equipment Load

Integrated IR Illuminator
Compared to other lightweight binocular (LWB) systems, the F5032 is the first to be
equipped with an integrated, forward-projecting LED infrared illuminator and indicator that
can be turned on and off by the operator as the mission changes. This capability, in direct
response to user input, eliminates the need to carry a separate IR illuminator, resulting in:
 Reduced operator equipment load
 Simplified mission preparation (fewer pieces)
 Elimination of potential loss of illuminator

Figure 2. The F5032’s close-focus capability  New tactical possibilities in areas of zero light
of 25 cm (~9 inches) enhances the ability to  Expanded mission capabilities
read or repair weapons.

Non-Export Controlled 4 The Next Generation of Night Vision Goggles—

A New Approach to Lightweight Binocular Design
 Enhancing Optical Performance

Close-Focus Range
The F5032 close-focus capability is a minimum of 25 cm (~9 inches) versus other LWB
systems, which have an 18-inch minimum focus. This allows users to conduct near-eye
functions such as:
 Reading printed map details
 Close medical support
 Expediting critical weapons repairs and clearing
 Enabling radio operation and reconfiguration
 Explosive ordnance and site exploitation

Vertical Viewing Capability

Maximum viewing range is essential to mission success. The F5032 supports vertical
viewing capability of 105 degrees and does not shut off automatically unless it is placed
into the stowed position.

Glass Optics
The F5032 uses a combination of glass and plastic lenses to achieve superior optical
performance. Rather than using all plastic optics and compromising overall system
performance, this combination allows for an optimal weight versus performance result.

Increasing Safety and Comfort

Light Emission Security with Auto Goggle Shutoff

Not all of today’s NVGs turn off automatically, potentially revealing the user’s position
to the enemy. To ensure light security, each F5032 monocular switches to a standby,
non-powered state when stowed, and returns to operation when rotated back in front
of the eye.

Zero Acoustic Emissions

The F5032 is the only LWB with Stealth dB technology, the latest class of power supply,
which provides silent operation by eliminating acoustic emissions associated with
standard, auto-gated power supplies. This evolution in Generation 3 performance provides
zero audibility in starlight conditions and below with virtual silence at higher light levels.
Traditional gating/auto-gating frequency tends to be close to the harmonic frequency of
the Microchannel Plate (MCP). The continual excitation of the MCP – from switching the
cathode voltage from the power supply during tube operation – causes the MCP to flex.
This flexing forces the edges of the MCP to rub against the components holding it in
place, causing a vibration that is transferred out of the tube, creating the sound. Stealth dB
technology changes the forcing function, eliminating acoustic emissions.

Individual Flip-Out Stow

The F5032 is engineered with individual monocular flip-out stow, providing a low profile
and reduced silhouette when the system is flipped back against the helmet. For
momentary configuration changes, the user can flip away each monocular separately.
With both monoculars flipped away and up, the system stows along the contour of the
helmet, reducing silhouette and neck strain and minimizing the danger of system damage.
The monocular stows flat against the helmet.

Figure 3. In addition to providing individual

monocular functionality, the flip-out stow
provides a significant improvement in stowed
head-borne inertial loads and snag reduction.

Non-Export Controlled 5 The Next Generation of Night Vision Goggles—

A New Approach to Lightweight Binocular Design
 Speeding Mission Readiness

Fixed or Adjustable Diopter Lens Configurations

The F5032 is mission-centric, providing both fixed and adjustable diopter lens
configurations. The fixed diopter, favored for SOF deployment, delivers lighter weight night
vision capabilities tailored to an individual soldier’s vision. The adjustable diopter option,
used for general deployment, allows the lens to be adjusted depending on individual
warfighter's needs. Having both options improves deployment flexibility over significantly
wider use populations because it:
 Fits all soldiers
 Eliminates the need for multiple custom diopters, yet
 Offers the ability to custom fit the diopters in a lower weight configuration

Swappable Image Intensifier Modules

Today’s rapidly changing missions require night vision systems that are agile. Unlike
models currently in the field, the F5032 is designed so that the standard MX-10160 image
intensifier tube can be removed and replaced at the unit level, without sending the goggle
back to the factory. This unique service level supports:
 Faster repair turnarounds at lower cost
 Less equipment testing in the field
 Lower skill level requirements from field technicians

Unified Master Switch

The F5032 includes a Unified Master Switch to control goggle function without requiring
access to multiple switches in different locations. This integrated control switch increases
the system’s flexibility, simplicity and speed of use in very demanding conditions.

Figure 4. The images above show both the

independent rotation and monocular
standby state.
Figure 5. The Unified Master Switch is located on the front of the binocular, and controls on/off,
manual brightness, IR on/off and momentary, and will turn off (for training) the high-light cut-off and
standby-off functions.

Summary
Today’s tactical forces require night vision systems that support speed, flexibility, accuracy
and safety. They must have maximum vision capabilities to operate, succeed, and remain
safe in low- and zero-light areas such as caves, buildings and underground tunnels.
The F5032 incorporates the latest leading-edge technology, providing the features of a
traditional lightweight night vision binocular with new capabilities and options previously
unavailable. These capabilities lower the size, weight, and power burden of the warfighter
while significantly increasing performance advantages. They also directly reduce lifecycle
costs by making it easier to maintain the system.
A diagram of the F5032 components follows. A marketing datasheet, which details the
operation and functionality of the F5032, is available upon request.

Non-Export Controlled 6 The Next Generation of Night Vision Goggles—

A New Approach to Lightweight Binocular Design
 Figure 6. Harris F5032 illustrated components.

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© 2017 Harris Corporation 02/17 WP001